Letter: Live longer by not adding to climate change

Letter: Live longer by not adding to climate change

August 6, 2013 12:04PM

Thank you Sun for the July 30th front page story about Charlestown’s plan to embrace the future proceeding with plans to construct two large wind turbines down the road from the heart of Westerly on Route 1. How nice that we won’t have to travel to Providence anymore to see wind turbines which just might be our most noticeable weapon in battling our most significant challenge: Leaving a habitable climate for future generations.

It’s beyond wacky to hear of locals’ biggest wind turbine complaint: “Spoil the view” Say what? Wind turbines should enhance the view as they are a symbol of a clean energy future, with a hint of tradition reminding us of our windmill past, that can ensure life on this planet for future generations as we kind of know it. “Kind of know it” since things are already changing but how far can we let them go knowing in a short while that “letting them” will be an antiquated idea after we cross the line and devastating change takes on a life of its own. To the self-absorbed view crowd who think wind turbines are unsightly and are more concerned about their personal views (which most obviously does not include progressive political views), please do me a favor: Google “Climate Change Hurricane Sandy Misquamicut”, take a look at those views and get back to me. A contest I hope to lose: We’re melting the polar caps and ruining a habitat that is now driving polar bears toward extinction. My personal goal is to reach age 100 and still be breathing come 2061. If I make it, will the polar bears still be breathing too? Who’s gonna go extinct first: Jay Lustgarten or the Polar Bears? I need everyone’s cooperation by not contributing to climate change to help me lose this race. Thank you.